Henry VII - Strengthening Government + Finance

Question 1

Local Government - Justices of the Peace

Answer 1

JPs were local landowners holding local office. 30-60 JPs per county.

Question 2

Regional Government

Answer 2

North - Council of the North - Earl of Surrey, Wales - Council of Wales - Jasper Tudor + Arthur. Ireland - English control only in Pale, whilst the rest under Irish families. Although Poynings’ Law was passed in 1494, saying Parliament could only be called with the King’s permission, other attempts failed, and he had to rely on the Earl of Kildare as Lord Deputy.

Question 3

National Government

Answer 3

Parliament only met 7 times during H7’s reign, 4 of which were in the first decade of H7’s reign. 227 councillors, but only a few people attended regularly. Inner council of 8, including Lord Chancellor Morton, Lord Privy Seal Fox and Lord Treasurer Dynham. There was the CLIL (Morton’s Fork) and the Star Chamber - punished lawless and rebellious behaviour.

Question 4

Total Incomes

Answer 4

Start of reign: H7 - £11.7k, whilst R3 - £29k. End of reign: H7 - £113k, HRE - £1.1m, France - £800k.

Question 5

Cost of Diplomacy

Answer 5

1505 - Lent £138k to Philip of Burgundy. £226k - £342k to Max. Had to spend a lot of money on maintaining a court that showed how powerful he was. The Tudor Rose was on ceilings and windows and even chamber pots.

Question 6

Income Methods - Crown Lands

Answer 6

Used Attainders and Escheats - Transfer of heirless property to the crown. Lands formerly held by Warwick, the Kingmaker, and the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester were returned to H7. Increased by 45% from £29k to £42k by end of reign. Duchy of Lancaster’s income increased ten-fold.

Question 7

Income Methods - Loans + Benevolences

Answer 7

Loans: £203k raised throughout reign, but had to pay back. Benevolences (forced loans): in 1491, £48.5k was raised for war in Brittany from loans, of which £9k was contributed by the City of London.

Question 8

Income Methods - Gifts + Clerical Taxes

Answer 8

At the knighting of Arthur in 1504, he receives £30k from Parliament. Seminy - H7 sold offices in the church: £300 raised for Archdeacon of Buckingham. Left bishoprics vacant so he could claim revenue, making £6k. Church also contributed £25k in 1489 for French expedition.

Question 9

Income Methods - Parliament Taxes

Answer 9

These led to Yorkshire and Cornwall Rebellions.

Question 10

Income Methods - French Pension

Answer 10

Part of Treaty of Étaples. £159k in yearly instalments of £5k, making up 5% of annual income.